20-year-old Naomi Osaka beat 2017 first runners-up Madison Keys 6-2, 6-4 in the US Open semi-finals to book a surreal final with her idol Serena Williams on Saturday. Osaka becomes the first Japanese woman to reach the finals of a Grand Slam in the Open Era.
As a child, the 20-era-old dreamt of playing her idol Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion. After subduing last year’s finalist Madison Keys, Osaka has the chance of her lifetime. A win over Williams will make the Japanese the first woman in her country to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era.
“It feels a little bit surreal. Even when I was a little Kid I always dreamed that I would play Serena in a final of a Grand Slam,” Osaka said. “Just the fact that it’s happening, I’m very happy about it.”
While Osaka’s victory over Keys was hard-fought, Williams’ was flawless. The No. 17 seeded started on a shaky mode, but once comfortable, she contained Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-0 comfortably.
History is on the line for both players. A win for Osaka will be her first Grand Slam. Serena William stares at her 24th Grand Slam. A victory over the 20-year-old will make her equal Margaret Court’s record 24 Grand Slams.
The 6-time US Open champion heads to this year’s final on a familiar territory. But that doesn’t make things easy for her. Osaka has been on a splendid run and is excited to face her idol.
